Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-18-2016

Faculty Sponsor

Cara Gallegos

Abstract

Problem: Individuals within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community are at greater risk for increased health disparities and inequalities.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to review evidence related to the following PICO(T) question: What strategies (I) can be employed to reduce health disparities and inequalities (O) in the LGBTQ community (P)?

Methods: The databases Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic Search Premier, Proquest Central, and LGBT Life were searched using the following terms: health inequalities, health disparities, lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, queer, and LGBTQ. Twenty-five articles were found to be relevant and were leveled using the evaluation system by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2005).

Results: Evidence levels ranged from I-VII. Research suggests LGBTQ individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of civil and human rights. Strategies to reduce disparities and inequalities should focus on understanding LGBTQ health and addressing social determinants impacting health.

Implications/Significance: Approximately 9 million Americans (3.5%) identify as LGBTQ. Understanding how expansive this population is would help reduce disparities and inequalities. Including LGBTQ individuals in national surveys provides focused data necessary to relieve disparities and inequalities.

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